Euxoa lafontainei (Lafontaine's Cutworm Moth)

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Lepidoptera

Family: Noctuidae

Genus: Euxoa

Species: lafontainei

Lafontaine's Cutworm Moth - Euxoa lafontainei

1380106

Species Extent (New Mexico)

Global Rank: GNR

State Rank: S1

Rank Metadata
State Rank: S1	Rank Changed: 03/10/2025
Rank Reviewed: N/A
Reason: <em>Euxoa lafontainei</em> is a Noctuid moth endemic to the gypsum dune ecosystem of the Tularosa Basin in southern New Mexico. It has been recorded very few times, though survey effort in the region has been minimal. Based on known occurrences, the estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) could be as little as 382 km<sup>2</sup> and 6 km<sup>2</sup>, respectively. Given lack of survey effort, these parameters are likely underestimated. The main threats of drought and groundwater drawdown is increasing sand motility within the dunes where this species is found. This habitat instability is pervasive across the range of the species. While the timing and severity of this threat is not well understood, the species is known from very few localities within a small range. They may all be impacted by a severe drought year (therefore as few as one location), or each locality may be impacted separately as dunes shift and habitat is lost (therefore as many as five locations). Continuing decline is also inferred for this species, due to the threats of habitat instability and increased incidence of drought due to climate change. Therefore, the species is currently assessed as S1 in New Mexico.

Ecological Factors
Specificity: Narrow. Specialist or community with key requirements common.	Range Extent: 250-1000 square km (about 100-400 square miles)
Occurences: 1 - 5	Population Size: Unknown
Area of Occupancy: An Area of Occupancy of 6km2 was calculated using all known occurrence records.	Threat Summary: N/A

State Status:

Federal Status:

USFS Status:

BLM Status:

SWAP Status: SGCN

NMRP Strategy Status:

Number of Subpopulations: 5

Number of Mapped Locations: 53

Number of Observations: 4

Observation date range: 01-01-2007 to 01-01-2024

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